The Indian Institute of Management of Ahmedabad (IIM-Ahmedabad) has launched the Brij Disa Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSA). The CDSA will research data science and AI that will contribute to businesses, governance, and policymaking. According to a news report, the centre will also act as a bridge between scholars and practitioners in data-intensive organisations. It will undertake case-based research to understand the current industry practice and develop case studies for classroom teaching.
Apart from connecting relevant stakeholders, CDSA will also be responsible for disseminating knowledge to a wide audience both within and outside the realm of the Institute through seminars, workshops, and conferences.
In addition to academic research, the centre will also take up consultation projects to solve pertinent problems of the industry. One of the key objectives of the centre is to present an extensive annual report on the data science and AI industry in the country. It will provide a holistic view of the industry, identify challenges, gauge the scope of the industry, and offer plausible solutions.
The Director of IIM-Ahmedabad noted that data science and AI are increasingly impacting businesses across the world. AI has become an inevitable part of life. To harness the power of these advanced technologies for augmenting businesses, there is a need to bring together different stakeholders onto the same platform, conduct intensive research to identify challenges, determine potential, and provide impactful insights. Another official stated that AI has transitioned from being a field of science to an integral element in the world. Researching and implementing AI-driven solutions is a game-changer, not just for businesses but also for societal needs.
The Institute intends to develop the centre as the epicentre of knowledge on data science and AI. An important step towards this goal is to undertake in-depth research on the practical application of data science and AI and share the knowledge generated, thereof. It also aims to engage with the industry and establish synergies that can provide sound technical exposure to the students and offer plausible solutions that can be utilised by the industry and academia.
Earlier this week, OpenGov Asia reported that the Indian Institute of Technology in Hyderabad (IIT-Hyderabad) announced it would set up an AI lab in collaboration with a private player. Both the entities have entered into an agreement to establish an AI lab and jointly research AI and related emerging technologies. The fully equipped lab will be managed, maintained, and upgraded by IIT-Hyderabad.
The lab was inaugurated earlier this week by the Minister for Education, Skill Development, and Entrepreneurship. IIT-Hyderabad is the first institute in the country to offer full-fledged BTech in AI in line with the National Education Policy 2020. The private player and IIT-Hyderabad will research technologies that solve problems of the future, with AI as the major focus area. Additionally, they have formed a mutual association to provide industry-specific domain training, remote project mentoring, engineering certificate courses, training workshops, and hackathons for students of IIT-Hyderabad and select employees of the organisation. The association will provide industry collaboration for IIT-Hyderabad, an academic environment for private employees to conduct research and enable students to upgrade their skills and improve their employment opportunities.
